Comoros

Comoros islanders begin to return home as volcano subsides

Mount Karthala began spewing ash and smoke over the weekend, causing islanders to flee in panic. The eruption has now died down.

By Chris Niles

NEW YORK, 19 April 2005 - Ten thousand islanders in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros, who fled when one of the world’s largest active volcanoes erupted on the weekend, have begun to return home.

The volcano forms most of the landmass of Grand Comore, the largest island among those that make up the small nation, and in recent times has erupted approximately every 11 years. The last eruption was in 1991.

No deaths or injuries have been reported from the weekend’s eruption, although there are fears that the island’s water might be contaminated. Local authorities have warned people to avoid the worst affected areas.